INDY Picks: See the ADF Shows Local Dance Artists Want to See

We asked dance artists from DIDA, Culture Mill, Carolina Ballet, and more which ADF shows they're keenest on. Their picks, which unsurprisingly trend adventurous, provide an informed route through the bounty of shows on offer this summer. —Brian Howe

KATE WEARE COMPANY (June 21–23, Reynolds Industries Theater) "Her work evocatively deals with interpersonal relationships. Her choreography is daring and refreshing while also nuanced and intuitive. She checks all the boxes for me: exceptional dancers performing compelling work that always leaves me wanting more." —Anna Barker, creator ofFeature Presentation, www.facebook.com/reallivepeopledurham

"Weare dives deep into questions of how to live and have relationships. This investigation can be murky, but Weare and her dancers are very clear with their roles, feelings, and intentions. I like seeing that kind of depth and directness onstage."—Nicola Bullock, creator of Undone, www.nicolabullock.com

KOMA (July 12–14, 21c Museum Hotel) "After witnessing the mastery of Eiko, one half of Eiko & Koma, earlier in this ADF season, I'm eager to experience The Ghost Festival installation by Koma Otake. The fusion of past, present, and entities beyond time—motifs in the show—have hounded me all my life. I'm sure Koma's passage through these worlds will be captivating, as his approach to movement is simple and beautiful—dance about what matters and what is human." —Ginger Wagg, creator ofAndAlwaysWhy, www.gingerwagg.com

TRAJAL HARRELL (July 19–21, Sheafer Lab Theater) "Trajal's work has become a ubiquitous reference in contemporary dance in both Europe and the U.S. in recent years. It is a departure from the modern dance canon, which ADF audiences are used to in general, so it is a great opportunity to confront that difference." —Tommy Noonan, Culture Mill, www.culturemill.org

COMPANY WANG RAMIREZ (July 22–23, DPAC) "Company Wang Ramirez generously unites arts and athleticism while fiercely showcasing visual and audible entertainment. Their concepts, knowledge of multidisciplinary movement, and dissection of language is always innovative. You don't even realize you are learning because the performance is so mesmerizing. Their invention with hip-hop and contemporary influences is the most dynamic, surprising, and inspiring movement of the season." —Ronald West, Black Irish Contemporary Hip Hop Company, www.iamblackirish.com

FOOTPRINTS (July 25–27, Reynolds Industries Theater) "I've come to look forward to Footprints every year because it introduces non-New-York-based artists that have rich, poignant work. It amazes me that these choreographers create these dances in six weeks on complete strangers, and they are often some of my favorite works of the season! This year I am excited to see the work LeeSaar creates on the ADF students. I was first introduced to this Israeli company at ADF in 2013 when they performed Grass and Jackals, and that piece left a lasting impression on me." —Renay Aumiller, creator of Blood Moon, www.renayaumillerdances.com

PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY (July 29–30, DPAC) "Paul Taylor is the only living great artist of modern dance of his generation left to us. He is in his eighties and it is amazing that he is still creating new work." —Robert Weiss, Carolina Ballet, www.carolinaballet.com